THE RUTHLESS ALPHAS VIRGIN MATE

The night air smelled of pine and wildflowers, the kind of sweetness that always clung to the Crescent Shadow Pack’s valley in early spring. A thousand stars winked above, crowding the heavens like lanterns hung by unseen hands. The moon was still days away from swelling into its crimson fullness, but even now its pale light spilled silver over the rooftops of Alina’s village. Alina walked barefoot through the soft grass, her long white gown brushing her ankles, her hands clutching the woven basket she had brought back from the river. The cool water inside had dampened the cloth that covered it, droplets sliding down her wrist as she tilted the basket to shift its weight. She could hear the distant laughter of children chasing each other in the twilight, the low hum of warriors returning from patrol, the rustle of leaves stirred by the wind. This was home. This was safety. And in a matter of days, her life was supposed to be sealed by a promise that had been waiting for her since childhood. Her mother often said that fate was not something one needed to seek—it arrived quietly, like a shadow, and all that was left was acceptance. For years, Alina believed that, perhaps even more than she believed in herself. She had grown up knowing she was promised to Elias, the Beta’s son, a union that would secure her family’s position and shield her from uncertainty. It was what everyone expected. It was what she had been raised to accept. Yet even as her steps carried her back toward her family’s small cottage, her heart fluttered uneasily in her chest. Elias was kind enough, in his way. He was tall, strong, with eyes the color of wet earth and a smile that won over most. He carried himself with confidence, the easy charm of a young man who knew what his future would bring. He would one day stand at the Alpha’s right hand, his influence second only to the leader himself. And Alina would be his mate—soft-spoken, dutiful, gentle. She would give him children, run his household, and stand at his side in ceremonies. It was a safe path. But was it enough? Her thoughts swirled as she pushed open the wooden door of her family’s home. Warm firelight spilled out to greet her, mingling with the scent of baked bread and herbs simmering in a pot over the hearth. Her mother looked up from her sewing, her dark hair streaked with silver, her eyes soft with pride. “You’re late,” she said, though there was no anger in her voice. “Elias stopped by earlier. He asked after you.” Alina set the basket on the table, her cheeks warming. “I was at the river,” she replied simply. Her mother’s lips curved knowingly. “He worries about you. That’s a good sign. He’ll take care of you.” The words were meant to soothe, but they pressed like a weight on Alina’s chest. She lowered her gaze, smoothing the wrinkles of her gown. “I know.” Her father entered then, a broad-shouldered man with a beard flecked in gray, his presence filling the room with calm authority. He kissed her mother’s cheek before turning to Alina. “Your eighteenth birthday approaches, little one. Soon the Blood Moon will rise, and your future will be sealed.” Alina forced a smile. “Yes, Father.” He studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing as though he could sense the unease she tried so hard to hide. But he said nothing more, only ruffled her hair with a tenderness that contrasted his warrior’s frame. Later that night, long after her parents had gone to rest, Alina lay awake in her small bed by the window. The village was quiet now, the only sounds the whisper of leaves and the distant call of an owl. The moonlight poured across her face, pale and soft, tracing the outline of her thoughts. Was this truly all fate had written for her? A safe union, a predictable life, a future already mapped? Her heart ached with restlessness, though she couldn’t name what she longed for. Something beyond promises made by others. Something that was hers alone. Closing her eyes, she whispered into the silence: “Moon Goddess, if You hear me, let my mate be someone who loves me. Let it be real.” Her words floated into the night like a prayer, fragile and foolish. She didn’t know if anyone—or anything—was listening. But she clung to the hope, however impossible, that destiny could be more than duty. The Blood Moon was coming. And with it, the truth that would either soothe her soul or shatter it forever.